"So, one Cygnia Noble is out of the running, we’ve got two of them here with us, so where are the others? They wouldn’t be late for a formal dinner, would they?" Marquis Bridgegover asked.
"Perhaps they reconsidered?" Dominic asked.
The other Nobles laughed, and Thorvald shook his head. "Hearing that you shot one of them wouldn’t scare them away so easily. Shame, really. I had hoped that this big idiot might be the one to challenge the Sorcerer to a duel."
Corwin frowned at Thorvald, his thick eyebrows scrunching into one line.
"What makes you think that I would be the one? Or are you suggesting that you wouldn’t be upset if I was violently removed from the competition?"
Thorvald shook his head. "Perish the thought, Marquis Bridgegover. Midfield needs a man of your talents, I would never wish permanent injury upon you. Public humiliation, sure. But not permanent harm."
The Marquis sighed and shook his head, used to his childhood friend’s antics.
Curiously, Dominic noticed that nobody appeared to see through Thorvald’s boisterous buffoon act. They all treated him as the crazy friend, and Thorvald was happy to go with it, but Dominic knew that wasn’t his natural state.
It was just an act he put on for their benefit.
Dicky motioned behind them. "The others are already here. They were in a side room, and just came out."
The two foreign Nobles turned to assess the remaining four Nobles, then immediately dismissed them.
Dominic wasn’t as fast to dismiss them as contenders, but they were not wealthy men, and they were wearing luxury clothes a decade out of style, most likely handed down from an older brother, as they showed some signs of wear.
They were putting on the proper Noble airs, but the difference between them and the wealthier nobles was easy to spot.
They were also avoiding coming over to greet the group that Dominic was with. A united front of sorts, with the Cygnia Nobles separate from the foreigners, and one foreign educated local.
"They all went to Biverlow Academy together. It’s more common with Barons and merchants, but I am told that the military training is quite impressive." Dicky explained.
"Was Lord Johnathan part of that group?" Dominic asked.
The nervous noble nodded. "The leader of their social group, in a way. But I don’t think that will last, now that his right hand needs so much reconstruction. It might have been a mercy for him to be killed in battle.
At least then his family would have gotten the death stipend from your match, not a crippled son who can no longer hold a pen or a sword."
Dicky was becoming more confident as he spoke to Dominic, coming out from under the effects of years of bullying by the other two Nobles present.
Dominic patted him on the shoulder. "I’m sure it won’t be so bad. There is a man here in the castle with a magitech hand that can do both of those things, and Lord Johnathan is only missing half of his. Rigging up a pair of fingers for gripping shouldn’t be beyond the artificers.
But I would assume that will be his last duel challenge."
{Presenting the Crown Prince, Claudius Cygnus and the Second Prince, Alex Cygnus.} The crier announced.
Every head in the room turned to the new arrivals, and the Nobles bowed politely.
{Presenting the Eighth and Ninth Princesses.} The crier called.
The difference in presentation annoyed Dominic. Sure, their last names would likely change with marriage, but they could at least introduce them by their given names.
He had already covered this Chapter in the etiquette book, and it was deemed too informal for the majority of people to greet them by their given names before they were married, so they simply weren’t introduced by name during marriage negotiations.
A way of helping remind young and junior Nobles how to address them.
Then Dominic had to stifle a laugh as he realized that the two of them were dressed identically, right down to the hair accessories, and the single wisp of hair that escaped over their left temple.
Marquis Bridgegover sighed and shook his head. "So, it’s this again. Nobody can tell them apart, so they dress identically, and use that as an excuse to belittle anyone who speaks to them.
There isn’t even a guarantee that they followed protocol and entered in order for us to try to track them."
Dominic simply shrugged and walked over to greet them.
"Princess Josephine, it is a pleasure to see you again, and I do hope that time has been treating you well since our last encounter. Princess Alexis, a pleasure as always." Dominic greeted the pair, who curtsied slightly at the same time.
He hadn’t turned his head for the Nobles standing behind him to know which of them he was addressing, and they weren’t going to give up the game so fast.
But it was clear to the others that Dominic could tell them apart.
Of course, he could. How many days had he spent in the Command Room with Alexis? How many hours were spent watching her read while he studied etiquette and magitech engineering?
Instead of introducing the others, Dominic stepped back to let them do it themselves, which earned him an annoyed glare from the Marquis, and a smirk from Thorvald.
Marquis Bridgegover went for the safe route, and introduced himself to them both at the same time, addressing them as "Princesses" instead of trying to get them correct. That definitely wasn’t winning him any points. But it wasn’t as bad as openly pointing out that he couldn’t tell the twins apart.
Thorvald had a very different approach.
Dominic was sure that he had been unable to tell them apart, going by his response to Dominic’s introduction.
But he had a solution.
"Looking sexy as always." He stage whispered as he stepped up beside Princess Josephine.
Who slapped him across the face.
"Ah, Princess Josephine, how I have missed our chats. Will you be joining us for dinner? Father insists I should be courting your sister, but you know that I wouldn’t object to having you as a bride if you kept up that fire of yours. Perhaps introduce this future Duke to the unique charms of a Paladin Princess?" He rambled in an openly flirtatious tone.
Princess Josephine glared at him, but she had that same little eye twitch as her sister did when she was amused and trying to hide it. Dominic would recognize that response anywhere.
"Perhaps you could duel for my hand as well? I am to meet with Duke Saldock of Bostoveria within the next few days for a marriage alliance negotiation. There is still time for you to get the more violent sister." Princess Josephine replied.
"Don’t tempt me, Princess. I just might."